TIN Intelligence Report 18:
SSR ARMORED DEVELOPMENT
The CDT’s first encounter with the Is-2 [81] was during a cleanup operation after a skirmish between the United States Restoration Corp and Soviet Socialist Remnants. An Is-2 [81] was found burned out and abandoned with 3 penetrations in its armor from USRC anti-tank weapons. It was recovered and assessed by TIN engineers. Their findings are recorded below:
“The Is-2 recovered does not date back to the 1940’s, rather it seems to be produced recently, in 1981. We have designated it Is-2 (81). Although it retains the same hull as the original IS tank, it has improved suspension, and a far more modern, efficient engine as well as transmission. Although the ammo stowage was hit and the ordenance [sic] was detonated in combat, our engineers were able to determine that the 122 mm cannon was retrofitted with a smooth bore capable of firing Armor Piercing Fin Stabilized Discarding Sabot rounds, as well as Tandem Charge High Explosive Anti-Tank rounds. The gunner and commander sights were outfitted with somewhat rudimentary night vision sights that would be cheap to produce, and replace.”
Since contact, there have been 19 confirmed sightings of these war machines. Two dozen other accounts fit the description, however they could not be confirmed. It is currently unknown where the production sight is.
Addendum 1 [August 6, 2082]
Witness Report: Private First Class Charles Dennison
“It was in the morning, last week. I was stationed at a recon post with line of sight to a Corp (USRC) Weapons Cache. I was told to count the trucks taking stuff and bringing stuff to this place. A bit tedious, but better than the frontline. Anyways, I had been on duty for about an hour when some alarm went off in the armory. Then 4 of these Is-2’s or whatever you call ‘em roll out of the woods and start blasting the poor Restoration Corp to pieces! The tanks took a couple of hits to the front from rpg’s and such, but where undamaged. Their armor seemed to explode, destroying whatever projectiles hit the them. About an hour later, the whole place was up in flames and the SSR headed out.”
The Is-2 [81] is able to be equipped with a variety of types of explosive reactive armor, including heavy ERA. This greatly improves its survivability against other armored vehicles and anti-tank weapons. This makes up for the vehicle’s apparent lack of composite armor. When the tank is dispatched to deal with weaker targets, or when escorted by infantry, ERA is often left out.
The Is-2 hull was most likely chosen by the SSR because it is simple, effective, and easy to produce. It requires no complex systems to operate. It’s armor proves sufficient against most enemies. It has no exceptional features, but can deal with nearly any threat found in the current order. Should the production sight be located, it may be wise to capture it, instead of outright destruction.
End report.
I got an Is-2 kit thing but it’s not mega so I’m not going to make a big deal about it by posting images of it. It may be included in a propaganda piece though